Friday, March 17, 2006

I had actually been planning a post about this anyway, so it's perfect timing. Here's my ever-evolving personal finance iPod playlist-- these songs are not all explicitly about money but they all have lyrics that have something to do with money, consumerism, greed, aspirations, and dreams of the good life, or at least sound like they do when taken out of context! (I know I'm missing some obvious candidates, but these are my personal favorites-- it's not intended to be an all-encompassing list of songs about money.)

There's a gypsy down on Bleecker Street, I went in to see her as a kind of joke, And she lit a candle for my love life, and eighteen bucks went up in smoke.Song for Sharon-- Joni Mitchell

You ain't got no money, you just ain't no good.Hit the Road Jack-- performed by Shirley Horn

In a college town, away from home a new identity I found, said I was born elite with maids and servants at my feet. I must have been insane.I'm Livin' in Shame-- The Supremes

Once I lived the life of a millionaire, spending my money and I didn't care, takin' my friends out having a good time, buying bootleg liquor, champagne and wine. Ah, but when my money began to fall so low, didn't have a friend and I couldn't go. If I ever get my hands on a dollar again, I'm gonna squeeze it and squeeze it, until that eagle grins, 'cause noboby knows you when you're down and out. In your pocket, not one penny, and friends, you haven't any.Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out--Alberta Hunter

All the money in the world won't buy you peace of mind, you can have it all but you still won't be satisfied.Money Can't Buy It-- Annie Lennox

Don't even like it, but you've just gotta try it, you don't even want it, but you're gonna buy, gonna-gonna-gonna buy it.Swine Fever-- The The

You just haven't earned it yet baby, you must suffer and cry for a longer time.You Just Haven't Earned it Yet Baby--The Smiths (also as performed by Kirstie MacColl)

Speak to me of universal laws, The whores hustle and the hustlers whore, All around me people bleed, Speak to me your song of greed.The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore-- PJ Harvey

Don't be mad 'cause I got it made, diva-hatin' waitin' snake in the grass, look me up and down when I pass, vibin' with your girlfriends, jealous of my dividends and my Benz...RU Ready-- Salt-N-Pepa

I'm not the type to look for a man with cash...Nature of a Sista-- Queen Latifah

Oh if you work hard you can be the boss, But if you don't work at all then that's nobody's loss, There's room on top - if you dig in low, And the idea is what they reap you sow.The Lodgers-- The Style Council

We know where our hearts are--right behind our wallets, yes, and that's where they're staying.Sugar and Stress-- The English Beat

Holy cow...your list reads like our CD collection post Caitlin and LaLa merge! And ditto on the Style Council! My friends and I listened to them constantly in high school (on vinyl!) Man that takes me back.

How about the Money Song from Cabaret? It's great!I also like the Bradford/Gordy "Money", sung by the Beatles: "The best things in life are free / But you can keep them for the birds and bees / Now give me money / That's what I want (etc) Your lovin' gives me a thrill / But your lovin' don't pay my bill"... Very cynical!

Scissors for Lefty - Nickels and Dimesthe song's about how to live cheap in San Francisco (www.myspace.com/scissorsforlefty). the song suggests opening your window for culture/entertainment referring to the city's diversity.

LCD Soundsystem - New York I love youhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQphuL0RMNU

i came across the video looking around on YouTube. the song's about how expensive the city's gotten. james murphy did a press conference on how he had to move from his DFA office to williamsburg because of increasing rents.

"It's nice to be liked, but it's better by far to get paid. I know that most of the friends that I have, don't really see it that way. But if you could grant them each one wish, how much do you want to bet, they'd wish success for themselves and their friends. And that would include lots of money." Shitloads of Money - Liz Phair (the anthem of me & all my non-profit friends)

I've got the brains, you've got the looksLet's make lots of moneyYou've got the brawn, I've got the brainsLet's make lots of

I've had enough of scheming and messing around with jerksMy car is parked outside, I'm afraid it doesn't workI'm looking for a partner, someone who gets things fixedAsk yourself this question: Do you want to be rich?

About Me

My name is Madame X, and I am a 40-something single woman living in New York's lower Hudson Valley. I write about how much money I make, what I spend it on, how much I save, how I budget, my home-buying experiences, my financial goals and ambitions, my thoughts on class and what it means to be rich or poor, and anything else that relates to money. (More about me here, here, and here.)If you take any of my advice, do so at your own risk as I am not really qualified to give it. If you have advice to share, please do, and many thanks!